Citrus briefs

By Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 22, 2001

Teacher in wreck faces charges of drunken driving

HUDSON -- A Citrus County middle school teacher was arrested early Sunday morning on charges of drunken driving and causing an accident with serious injuries in Pasco County, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. Robert John Verlato Jr., 25, 509 S Adams St. in Beverly Hills, was arrested at 2:36 a.m. at State Road 52 and La Madera Boulevard. There, according to Verlato's arrest report, the trooper investigating the accident found Verlato and smelled alcohol on his breath. Verlato failed field sobriety tests and was arrested. At the Pasco County jail in Land O'Lakes, Verlato's breath-test results were .096/.098. Florida law assumes impairment at .08. Verlato was released from the jail on $3,000 bail Sunday afternoon. On his arrest report, he lists his occupation as a teacher at Crystal River Middle School. Few details about the accident were available Sunday. The passenger of the other car was flown to Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg where she was in stable condition, Verlato's arrest report said.

CFCC to pay tribute to ex-Gov. Bryant

OCALA -- Central Florida Community College will hold a luncheon to honor former Florida Gov. Farris Bryant at noon Tuesday in the Ocala Campus Webber Center.

At that time the college will rededicate the College Union (Building 5) as the Bryant Union and announce plans for a major renovation of the building.

Attending along with Bryant will be former Gov. Buddy MacKay. C. Farris Bryant, a native of Marion County and born in 1914, was the 34th governor of Florida, serving from Jan. 3, 1961, to Jan. 5, 1965.

He served five terms in the state Legislature, including one term in 1953 as speaker of the House when the Florida Community College system was established.

Bryant was elected governor in the fall of 1960 and continued the educational emphases of his predecessor, LeRoy Collins.

More than $1-billion was raised during Bryant's term to construct new buildings on college campuses across the state. President Lyndon Johnson appointed Bryant to the National Security Council and the Office of Emergency Planning in 1966.

Later in 1970, Bryant ran for the U.S. Senate but was defeated in the runoff election for the Democratic nomination.

He later returned to his law practice in Jacksonville and served on the boards of directors of a number of major corporations.

Former employee to discuss World Bank

LECANTO -- Is the World Bank fulfilling its basic mission? That is the topic of a presentation at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2149 County Road 486, in the Oak Tree Plaza. Patricia Kittleman will share her experiences as a former employee and her thoughts on the subject. For an interesting and informative evening, plan to attend. Call 746-9202 for information.

Public can tour medical helicopter

Inverness and the Rotary Club of Inverness invites the public to tour the Aeromed Medical Helicopter, which is serving the emergency medical needs of our community. Tours will begin at 1 p.m. Nov. 13 in City Hall Park in historic downtown Inverness.

Girl Scouts to donate smoke detectors

CRYSTAL RIVER -- The Heart of Florida Girl Scout Troop 512 operated a concession at the recent Fire Safety Expo for the purpose of purchasing smoke detectors. With the profits, they purchased more than 40 smoke detectors to be installed in residences that need them.

The troop, along with the Homosassa Volunteer Fire Department, will be going door to door to encourage residents to test their smoke detectors. If they don't have a smoke detector, a representative of the group will install a battery operated smoke detector in the appropriate location. The event will take place from about 9 a.m. to noon, or until the supply of smoke detectors is gone, on Saturday. The group will begin near W Cardinal Street and S Suncoast Boulevard (U.S. 19) and head toward the northeast. A member of the Department of Public Safety Fire Prevention Section staff will assist and be available for questions in reference to life or fire safety.

Sorority's alumnae lunch set for Nov. 3

Sigma Sigma Sigma alumnae will have a luncheon meeting at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 3 in Spring Hill. For information, directions and reservations, call Donna Johnson, 597-8290, or Lola Boreiko, 688-8664 by Friday.

SHARE Club presents landscaping program

INVERNESS -- The Citrus Memorial Hospital SHARE Club offers a monthly landscaping series at 10 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month at the hospital auditorium, on Grace Street and Osceola Avenue. The Oct. 24 program also will have master gardener Chet Olshewsky giving tips on growing cool weather vegetables. The program is free. Parking will be in the hospital's Q parking lot, on Grace and Osceola. Call 344-6900 to register.

Fall Festival to have costume contest

INVERNESS -- The city's annual Fall Festival will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at City Hall Park in downtown. Events include a costume contest in several age groups: 2 and younger, 3 to 5, each grade from kindergarten to fifth grade and middle school. All entries will receive participation ribbons with first place prizes awarded to in each division. Registration will be on the day of the event from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Costume contest begins at 4:30.

Other activities include games and refreshments. Children must be accompanied by parents. Call 726-3913.

Volunteers sought for World War II exhibit

The Citrus County Historical Society needs volunteers to become docents for the Heritage Museum. A large number of visitors are expected for the upcoming World War II exhibit "Florida At War," which is on display through Dec. 14.

There were more than 4,000 visitors to the recent Smithsonian exhibit and periodically a shortage of docents to guide them through the courthouse. Anyone with an interest in local history is most welcome.

The Heritage Museum and Store are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

For information, call 341-6436.

Apply now to join holiday parade

The largest parade ever in Citrus Springs, the Citrus Springs Holiday Parade, starts off the holiday season in Citrus County at 10 a.m. Nov. 17. Coordinated by the Citrus Springs Civic Association, numerous clubs, municipal representatives, and clubs have already signed up.

Spectators will enjoy an assortment of participants from throughout the county. Current registrants include: Girl Scouts, church groups, veterans, law enforcement, fire protection, classic cars and newspaper representation.

Free to everybody, school bands and local organizations are encouraged to register early. Registration forms can be obtained by calling (352) 465-9007 or by writing the Citrus Springs Civic Association, P.O. Box 1387, Citrus Springs, FL 34430, attention Parade Committee. Applications are due before Nov. 3 to assure good positioning in the parade.

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